The district is proud to congratulate Clare Acuti and Julia Walsh, Valedictorian and Salutatorian from East Rockaway High School Class of 2023.
Throughout her high school career, Clare Acuti has proven outstanding aptitude as a scholar and leader. She is a long-standing member of the National Honor Society, serving as President during her senior year, and member of Student Counsel, serving as Secretary and Vice President during her tenure. Clare has been recognized as “Student of the Year” and received twenty-two “Student of the Month” awards for Science, AP Calculus, AP Biology, AP World History, Global History and others. She has also been the recipient of the prestigious “Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award” for high achievement in science and math classes among other recognitions in math, science and psychology. As a result of her success within the Science Research program, Clare was granted a mentor from Columbia University. This opportunity allowed her to attend Brain Insight Lectures by eminent Columbia scholars and to shadow scientists focused on ALS research. Additionally, Clare has represented East Rockaway at the HOBY Leadership Conference and Model G20 Summit, served as Co-President of “The Gull” student newspaper and dedicated time and energy as a member of “Team Up for Unity” and the “Rock Rivalry” competition, where she was Entrance Chairperson for three years. As a member of Chorus, Clare has served as Vice President of the Tri-M Music Society and has been recognized with NYSSMA and All-State honors. She has performed in four district musicals, including a lead role for the past two years. She is a member of the Varsity and Junior Varsity Volleyball team and Varsity Badminton team. After high school, Clare plans to study neuroscience.
Julia Walsh has been the recipient of a multitude of academic honors include the George Eastman Young Leaders Award, Precalculus Accelerated Math Departmental Award and English 10H Departmental Award and has been recognized as Student of the Month multiple times for her exemplary success in AP Government, Precalculus, AP World History, English, Science and others. She has served as President of the Student Council for all four years of high school, as well as Class Treasurer and a member of the Yearbook Club and National Honor Society since sophomore year. Julia has been a passionate member of the school’s music and theatre community, serving as a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, performing with the Jazz Band and Chorus and in the district musicals. She is a member of the Varsity and JV Softball teams and Captain of the Varsity and JV volleyball teams, where she has been recognized as a New York State Scholar-Athlete. Most recently, Julia proved her exceptional leadership skills as she assumed the role of Overall Chairman for the eight weeklong school-wide competition, “Rock Rivalry”, an East Rockaway tradition. Julia coordinated subcommittees that created a student run musical, a painted mural, a constructed refreshment stand and Sports Night, all which went off without a hitch and won her class first place.
Date Added: 3/22/2023